2024-04-01
Since its release in mid-2022, the XHP70.3 HI has been a popular choice for lights where - in addition to throw - high luminous flux is also important. After testing the XHP50.3 HI - with rather disastrous results in the high current range - the question here is whether the XHP70.3 HI also has problems with high operating currents and whether the luminance can keep up with that of other thrower LEDs.
The type tested here (4000 K N4 color kit 5D) was selected by popular demand. The LEDs tested here were purchased from Convoy on Aliexpress in March 2023. Many thanks to BLF user @James_C for his support!
Tj 85 °C, If 2,100 mA
- Type: quad-die, flip chip
- Bin: N4 (min 1710 lm)
- Color group: 5D (typ 4000 K)
- CRI: 70
- Rated voltage: typ 5.6, max 6.1 V
- Max. Forward current: 7,200 mA
- Max. Peak current: — mA
- Viewing angle: 115 °
- Thermal resistance: typ 0.2 K/W
- Max. Temperature Tj: max. 150°C
Datasheet can be downloaded here: Cree XHP70.3 HD/HI (6.0 MB)
The XHP70.3 HI is an LED without a dome. The four centrally arranged LED chips dominate. Only the luminous surfaces are coated with phosphor, as are the gaps between the LED chips. Two markings are used to identify the anode and cathode.
Apart from two visible wires, there are no other conspicuous features. The silicone on the upper side is relatively robust, but it is important to ensure that the surface of the LED is clean before using it for the first time in order to avoid any consequential damage (burnt silicone) at very high operating currents.
The XHP70.3 HI is 7.00 x 7.00 mm in size (often referred to as 7070).
The footprint corresponds to that of other XHP70 LEDs. Depending on the wiring of the solder pads on the board used, the XHP70.3 HI can be operated in both 6 V and 12 V configurations. The usual boards with DTP are designed for the 6 V configuration, which is also widely used in almost all flashlights.
The four individual LED chips are clearly visible. The gaps do not light up, but this should not cause any problems in the light image due to the very small spacing. The lateral emission of the illuminated area, which is usual with flip chip LEDs, is noticeable; here this light shimmers through the white surrounding silicone. This reduces the luminance considerably and, depending on the optics, could have a negative effect on the light image due to color shift.
The luminous area is 14.6 mm² in size. As the illuminated surfaces also emit light from the side, as shown in the picture, it is difficult to determine the size of the illuminated surfaces in the conventional way and is not 100% possible.
Within official parameters, as far as known:
- at 7,200 mA (official maximum current): 5097 lm @ 6.28 V
- Power at official maximum: 45.2 W
- Efficiency at 7,200 mA: 112.7 lm/W
- Maximum reached at 19.8 A, at this point 8730 lm @ 7.11 V
- Power at maximum 140.7 W
- Efficiency at maximum 62.1 lm/W
As with the earlier XHP70 LEDs, the performance is impressive. The XHP70.3 HI achieves almost 20 A. It was not damaged in the process. After operating at 19.8 A for 15 minutes, there was no damage to the LES or the silicone coating or a significant drop in luminous flux.
Compared to the XHP70.2, two things should be noted: the XHP70.2 has a dome and a higher flux binning, and the measurement methodology has changed significantly since the August 2017 test (integrating sphere, new surface coating inside it, use of calibration light sources), which means that the values of the XHP70.2 may deviate.
It is nevertheless noticeable that the XHP70.2 enables slightly better overcurrent capability, although this may simply fall under series variation. According to the data sheet, the thermal resistance of the XHP70.3 (HI/HD) has again been slightly reduced compared to the XHP70.2, so that the maximum possible heat dissipation via the 7070 footprint is presumably the limiting factor here. To circumvent this, heat dissipation would have to take place via a larger thermal pad and thus a larger housing, as with the SBT90 gen 2 or MT-G2.
The Vf of the XHP70.3 HI is low. With the first generation XHP70 and the MT-G2, the situation is completely different. This once again demonstrates the enormous progress that has been made in the last 10 years. In particular, the change from classic bonding to the flip chip design, in which the LED chips are connected from the underside, makes a big difference to the forward voltage.
Data for 25 °C Tsp (at 85 °C the luminance values are around 13 % lower).
Despite the lack of a dome, the luminance is quite low.
The XHP70.3 HI is therefore primarily recommended for applications where a balanced beam is required. As far as possible, the XHP70.3 HI is a good replacement for an XHP50(.2) with dome, as the LES is roughly the same size but the beam looks much better.
If range (throw) with a lower operating current is important, an SFT-70 or SFT-40 makes more sense, whereby the latter is designed for 3 V and thus require a different driver. Replacing XHP70.2 (HD, with dome) by this XHP70.3 HI is also a good option here, especially to improve the beam.
The beam is very good. Especially with OP reflectors, a soft and color-consistent beam is produced. The first image shows the OP reflector of the Fenix PD40 (1st generation, 2014) with an XHP70.3 HI N2 E3 with min. 80 CRI and 5300 K, the second image shows an N4 5D 4000 K in the OP reflector of a Fenix TK35UE 2015. There is virtually no yellow corona, and there are no annoying artefacts on the whitewall either.
Depending on the reflector, a slight yellow ring could be seen in the image, but with these lights it is not noticeable on the whitewall and especially outside. The reflector of the TK35UE produces a slight ring around the spill, presumably due to the shape and the very deep reflector. However, this is not disturbing in everyday use and much better as with the old XHP50 1st gen used before.
The tint of the XHP70.3 HI tested here is excellent. There are no green or other annoying tints. The tint is a nice rosy color without being too noticeable.
However, the color rendering value with only 70 is low. There are no other surprises in this respect. The difference is particularly noticeable when compared to 90 CRI LEDs with 4000 K. There are also variants with the XHP70.3 HI with high color rendering available, for example in 5700 K, which could be green (I have not tested these though).
- Ra: 73
- R9: -21
- CCT: 4186 K
- duv: -0.0017
All in all, the XHP70.3 HI is a very good LED. Its extremely high performance, together with good beam quality and high efficiency as well as the availability of 90 CRI variants, makes it a good choice for all lamps where a good looking beam suitable for everyday use and high luminous flux are required.
The disadvantage is the high price. In addition, certain tints or color rendering indices may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or have a greenish/yellowish tint.
Pro
- verys high performance
- good beam with secondary optics
- pleasant tint (4000 K N4 5D tested here)
- fully compatible with older gen XHP70 or other 7070 emitters
Neutral
- –
Contra
- quite expensive
- Certain variants (color kits/high CRI) hardly available or not available at all
Thank you for reading the test. 